April 25, 2023
FRIENDS OF THE STATE BAR
Thank you
2023 Annual Meeting Sponsors
News
UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION

The State Bar will be mailing orange postcard reminders regarding membership reporting and fees in June for the July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 fiscal year. Please be sure to log into the membership portal and verify or update your contact information (Bylaw 2.02 (b))
by JUNE 1.

Information that you will need to verify or update include:
  1. Name of Employer (If sole practitioner, enter the sole practitioner’s name)
  2. Address of Principal Place of Business
  3. Telephone and Fax Numbers
  4. Email Address

PUBLIC NOTICE FOR REAPPOINTMENT
OF INCUMBENT MAGISTRATE JUDGE ABOULHOSN
 
The current term of office of United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn, at Bluefield, West Virginia, is due to expire on December 31, 2023. The United States District Court is required by law to establish a panel of citizens to consider the reappointment of the magistrate judge to a new eight-year term.

The duties of a magistrate judge in this district include the following: (1) conducting most preliminary proceedings in criminal cases; (2) trial and disposition of misdemeanor cases; (3) conducting various pretrial matters and evidentiary proceedings on referral from the judges of the district court; and (4) conducting trial and disposition of civil cases upon consent of the litigants.

Comments are invited from members of the bar and the public as to whether the incumbent magistrate judge should be recommended by the panel for reappointment by the Court and should be placed in an envelope marked “CONFIDENTIAL” and directed to Rory L. Perry II, Clerk of Court, U.S. District Court, 300 Virginia Street East, P.O. Box 2546, Charleston WV 25329. Comments must be received by July 28, 2023.
CLE
CLE Rule Spotlight
Mandatory Bridge-the-Gap Program
Administrative Rule 6.03 requires that newly admitted members are to complete a mandatory Bridge-the-Gap Program sponsored by the State Bar within 24 months after admission to the Bar. The course is provided free of charge at least twice a year at locations within West Virginia. Newly admitted members can earn CLE credit for completing the course. Failure to complete the course will result in suspension of the attorney’s license to practice law. A newly admitted member of the Bar may be exempted from the Bridge-the-Gap course requirement if the attorney can (1) certify they have been admitted to practice in another jurisdiction for at least 5 years or (2) certify they have completed a comparable mandatory new lawyer program offered by the state bar of another state (at least 7 credits, including 2 ethics credits). Attorneys must apply for an exemption and have it approved no later than 24 months after admission to the Bar.  
Events
April 26, 2023
2023 SPIRIT OF THE MOUNTAINS COMMITTEE
Lewis N. McManus YLA Service Award
The Honorable Thomas E. McHugh is the 2023 Spirit of the Mountains Lewis N. McManus YLA Service Award honoree. The reception will be held on Wednesday, April 26th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the State Capitol in the West Virginia House Rotunda’s Great Hall.
For questions, contact Alicia Ridenour at alicia@ylaleads.org or at 304-675-5899
Response deadline April 20, 2023
April 26, 2023
Financial Analysis and Calculations Made Easier, Faster, Better:
Don’t Leave Money on the Table!
Host: Kanawha County Family Law Bench/Bar Committee 
Location: Kanawha County Voters Registration Conference Room (enter on Court Street side)
Time: Noon to 1 p.m.
CLE: 1.2 credits
Speaker: Nancy Chausow-Shafer, Esq.
Questions - Contact Lyne Ranson at Lyne@lyneranson.com
April 27, 2023 - Noon
Family Court Guardian Ad Litem Training: Medical Marijuana
Lunch and Learn

Host: Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
CLE: 1.2 credits 
Platform: WebEx - Live Attendance
*This is a required session to meet education requirements to serve as a Family Court Guardian ad Litem. Real-time attendance is encouraged. However, the session will be recorded and uploaded to the Court’s website for future viewing. Please maintain record of your attendance/viewing for self-reporting education at a later date.

Questions - Contact Sara Thompson at Sara.Thompson@courtswv.gov
2023 Real Estate Conference
(Live In-person and Webinar)
Sponsor: The West Virginia Bar Association
Location: Stonewall Resort, Roanoke, WV and a simultaneous Zoom option
CLE: WV - 9.0 credits, including 1.2 credits in ethics

Join The West Virginia Bar Association for its annual Real Estate Conference Earn CLE credits while growing your professional network, and don’t forget your derby attire for our ever-popular Kentucky Derby Party on the evening of May 6!

May 10, 2023
ABLE Account or Special Needs Trust?: What you need to
know when working with clients who have a disability
(Live In-person and Webinar)

Host: WV State Bar
Location: WV State Bar Center - Lower Conference Room & Live Webinar
Time: 9 a.m. to noon
Cost: Free CLE
CLE: 3 credits
Speakers:
  • Peter J. Wall, Director of Fiduciary Services, True Link Financial
  • Doreen L. Seamon, Attorney/Owner, Seamon Law Offices PLLC



Registration Closes May 8, 2023 at noon

Facility Details:  Due to limited capacity for live attendance at the State Bar Center, live registration is limited to the first 35 fully vaccinated registrants. Attendance via webinar is also limited to the first 500 registrants. There is an increased interest in attending webinars as the end of the 2020-22 reporting period approaches; therefore, you are encouraged to register early to secure a link to attend virtually. All attendees, whether in person or virtual, will receive an email confirming registration. If you do not receive a confirmation of registration, you will not be able to participate in the seminar on the day of presentation.  
 
Note to those attending in person: If you are unable to use the stairs from the first floor to the lower level, please drive down the driveway on the left-side of the Bar Center and enter the building at the bottom of the driveway. Handicap accessible restrooms are available. If you need other assistance, please contact the State Bar 304-553-7220, in advance of the meeting, so arrangements can be made.
May 18, 2023 - 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
2023 Financial & Estate Planning Conference
Sponsors:  WV Bankers Association, the WV Society of CPAs, and the WV State Bar Probate Law Committee
Location: Edgewood Country Club, Charleston, WV
CLE: 8.4 credits
Cost: $295.00


Contact Amanda Cunningham at acunningham@wvbankers.org or 304-343-8838

Please e-mail J.E. White to register for reception & dinner: jewhite@jacksonkelly.com cost is $75 per person.  
MAY 19-21, 2023
WVJLAP CONFERENCE & RETREAT

Host: WV Judicial & Lawyer Assistance Program
CLE: 8 credits in ethics/attorney well-being
Location: Stonewall Resort - Roanoke, WV

NOTE: Room block room rate ended April 19, 2023

June 9, 2023
Mountain State Bar Association
Annual CLE Seminar

Host: Mountain State Bar Association
CLE: 6 credits, including 2 in ethics & elimination of bias
Location: Bridgeport Conference Center, Bridgeport, WV
Cost: See registration in brochure